Staff Durability CAE Engineer, Explicit Dynamics

About Rivian

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

Are you a highly skilled Staff Durability CAE Engineer specializing in Explicit Dynamic simulations? Do you thrive on replicating complex, real-world impact scenarios to ensure the structural integrity of next-generation vehicles?

Join our team and support the validation of vehicle structure robustness against extreme events. You will leverage full-vehicle LS-DYNA models to simulate critical ground strike and extreme strength load cases, directly influencing the design and durability of our chassis and underbody systems.

We are seeking a proactive and meticulous engineer with deep expertise in explicit solver technology, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a proven track record of accurate simulation-to-test correlation. If you're ready to tackle the most demanding structural challenges in the automotive world, we invite you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Lead Explicit Dynamics Simulation: Lead the setup, execution, and analysis of complex, full-vehicle explicit dynamic simulations using LS-DYNA .
• Simulate Extreme Load Cases: Model and analyze critical scenarios including:
  • Underbody ground strike (step down impact, rock scrape impact, breakover impact, approach/departure impact & sand dune impact).
  • Extreme strength load cases (curb drive-over, ditch drop, lateral curb strike).
• Implement & Calibrate Material Failure Definition: Implement & manage LS-DYNA material cards (e.g. *MAT_024, *MAT_GISSMO) with a critical focus on plasticity and failure parameters to accurately replicate ductile failure and erosion in the vehicle structure.
• Ensure Simulation Quality: Critically review explicit simulation results, meticulous checking of energy plots, mass scaling, and solution parameters to ensure numerical stability and accuracy.
• Correlation and Validation: Drive the correlation of simulation models with physical test data, working to accurately replicate real-world behavior in the virtual environment.
• Support Physical Testing: Collaborate closely with the physical testing team, providing expertise to assist in appropriate test setup, instrumentation, and boundary condition definition.
• Optimize and Improve Efficiency: Proactively work on methods and techniques to optimize LS-DYNA run times for large, full-vehicle models without compromising accuracy.
• Structural CAE Support: Provide flexible support for structural durability CAE simulation work using implicit solver technology when required.
• Communicate Technical Insights: Generate clear, coherent, and informative technical reports that distill complex simulation results into actionable design recommendations for stakeholder teams.
• Model Management: Work with pre-processors like ANSA and Hypermesh for model build-up, meshing, debugging and model deck preparation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or equivalent, with 5+ years of relevant experience in automotive CAE/Durability.
• Deep expertise in explicit finite element analysis (FEA) , with extensive, hands-on experience using LS-DYNA for full-vehicle dynamic simulations.
• Expert-level understanding of explicit simulation requirements, including checking energy plots (e.g., kinetic, internal, hourglass), time step control, and mass scaling.
• Strong foundational understanding of vehicle suspension systems and overall vehicle dynamics behavior.
• Proven ability to correlate simulation models to physical test data.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, specifically in creating high-quality technical reports.
• Experience with implicit solver software like Abaqus, OptiStruct, or Nastran for structural durability analysis is a plus.
• Proficiency in pre-processing tools like ANSA and/or Hypermesh is a plus.
• Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, MATLAB) for post-processing and automation is a plus.
• Experience with durability or crash-related load case derivation and standardization is a plus.
• Minimum age of 21
• No driving related suspensions or revocation of Driver License (within a 3-5 year period)
• No drug or alcohol related driving incidents in the last 3 years
• No more than 1 serious moving violation in the last 3 years
• Must have a valid driver's license in the state of residence that you will be driving/operating a vehicle
• Will be subject to continuous Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $154,000-$192,500 for Southern California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

You can apply for this role throughcareers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than February 28, 2026.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io.

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